Sports nutritionists are crucial to enhancing the performance of amateur and elite athletes through supplementation and diet. The nutritional requirements vary significantly between individuals and from one sporting or athletic pursuit to another. As a result, understanding sports nutrition from a holistic and scientific way is essential to making appropriate choices.
The Certificate Sports Nutrition is a unique online course that will develop your knowledge and understanding of sports nutrition and will cover food for fitness, the role of supplements in sport and the critical relationship between performance, individual health and diet.
In this professional development course, you will also explore the fundamentals of human and sports nutrition, understand energy output, the competition diet and the importance of fluids. You will also discover the athlete’s body composition, weight management techniques and training for size.
On completion of this course, you will have the foundation knowledge and skills to explore a role in the sports nutrition industry or to improve your own sporting performance through diet.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Introduction to human and sports nutrition
- Dietary nutrients
- Daily intake of nutrients (RDI)
- Daily intake of protein and energy
- Daily intake of selected vitamins
- Daily intake of selected minerals
- The balanced diet
- The food pyramid
- Carbohydrates, proteins and fats
- The glycaemic index
- Food composition tables
Unit 2 - Energy
- Chemical energy
- Calories
- Sources of energy in food
- Calorie content
- Energy systems in the human body
- Sources of energy in the form of ATP
- The calorie cost of everyday activities
Unit 3 - Energy in the human body
- Aerobic capacity
- Metabolism
- Respiratory quotient (RQ OR RE)
- Energy expenditure
- Exercising
- Energy sources during exercise
- Proteins
- Fitness testing / assessment
- Body weight and percentage fat
- Body mass index
- Electronic / light body composition analysers
- Heart rate
- Lung capacity
- Cardiovascular score
- Aerobic fitness
- Cardiorespiratory endurance
- 12 minute fitness test
- Before fitness testing
Unit 4 - The training diet
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
- Fats
- Other nutrients
- Meal timing
- Recipes
Unit 5 - The competition diet
- Carbohydrate loading
- Pre competition eating
- Eating during competition
- Competition, fatigue and nutrition
- Recovery requirements
- Training and fatigue
- Training response
- Recovery from exercise
Unit 6 - Fluids
- Function of water in the body
- How much fluid is needed?
- Water and solute regulation
- Electrolytes
- Water and body temperature regulation
- Fluid intake before, during and after exercise
- Intravenous fluid replacement
- Fluid loss during exercise
Unit 7 - The athletes body composition
- Body composition
- Body composition to performance
- Body mass index
Unit 8 - Weight management
- The mechanics of weight loss
- Why athletes want to lose weight
- Weight loss and physical performance
- Weight change and low energy diets
- Tips for losing body fat
- Safe weight reduction diets
- Eating disorders
- Conversion tables
Unit 9 - Increasing body mass and using sports supplements
- Training for size
- Gaining muscle mass
- Sports supplements
- Drug testing
- Glossary of sports terminology
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 100 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Sports Coaches
- Personal Trainers